A eulogy can be as long as you like or as short as you like, but it has to have enough substance and meaning that will catalyze a change. You don’t need to be a professional writer to be able to write a eulogy, but I appreciate that you might feel uncomfortable with the experience at first and have no idea where to begin. Here is how you might begin. Jot down the most memorable and transformational moments that you would love to have in your life:
What moments were your proudest?
Most challenging?
Most loving, kind or generous?
When were you most present, engaged, and essential — in what situations and settings?
What impact did your actions have on others, society, world?
How might some of these situations or outcomes have been different without you?
Take a look at what you’ve written and try to find common themes. What sorts of characteristics or traits are evident in the memories that surfaced? Select the theme that best represents the person and build upon it. Organize items by degrees of importance. Summarize your “good words,” and restate your theme.